Security company wins contract with Austrian banks

While security in many banks nationwide has been a point of contention lately thanks to the growing number of armed robberies, banks in Austria have put their faith in a Czech security firm to safeguard their money on the road. In December the security firm Fenix was awarded a contract to provide armored vehicles to transport currency within the European Union for Austrian banks. Fenix will be responsible for transporting international deliveries of currency and other valuables for the Austrian Central Bank and other banks including Sparkasse, Raiffeisenbank, Hypo and Volksbank. The tender was awarded by dominant Austrian logistic company GSA. The award makes Fenix the first Czech company to win an international assignment to provide security for currency transports. The company already works for a number of Austrian-owned banks at home including Ceska sporitelna, Raiffeisenbank and Volksbank. "After the Czech Republic's EU accession last May, we decided to expand our services abroad," said Ivo Videnka, general director of Fenix. "Our standing cooperation with Austrian banks here helped us when we went seeking opportunities in Austria." Accession opened the door for firms such as Fenix to compete on the international stage. Prior to joining the European community, local security firms could only provide services to banks operating inside the Czech Republic. Now those companies are able to pursue contracts to provide security for cross-border operations. While restrictions remain that keep Fenix and others from offering their services within the original 15 member states, companies based in the 10 new member states can compete for jobs transporting goods between the different countries.